But Lord Angelo.. Remember You're Only a Substitute Ruler...

Measure for Measure is a lovely example of power corruption. Lord Angelo is a manipulative asshole who uses the law and his own beliefs to make his actions non-hypocritical, even though they totally are. How do I break that down?

Act 2 scene 4 ll. 213-214 show Angelo reflecting upon Isabella’s plead by acknowledging that “Thieves for their robbery have authority/ When judges steal themselves” – this is what people have been saying to him this entire play in hopes that he will draw back Claudio’s execution, but he refuses to acknowledge how logical the idea is until he feels sexual temptation in the moment. This is his defense for trying to sexually bribe Isabella because he knows she wants to save her brother. Angelo believes “Tis one thing to be tempted… Another thing to fall” (act 2 scene 2 ll. 18-19) and therefore only when he “falls” is he willing to give mercy to Claudio. If he is only tempted, meaning if Isabella does not have sex with him, he has not sinned and his actions are not punishable by law as Claudio’s are. Additionally, if he does not have sex with her, he has not contradicted his own beliefs and words (even though he tries.) If he does, he will not execute Claudio, and therefore cannot be seen as hypocritical, because he will have acknowledged his own faults. Manipulative jerk, and everybody knows it, especially Isabella (mind her naiveté when she doesn't realize he’s trying to sleep with her.)

Isabella makes the argument that “it is excellent/ To have a giant’s strength, but it is tyrannous/ To use it like a giant” (act 2 sc. 4 ll. 135-137). She recognizes his abusive power, so how it slips by her when he does it to her for so long during their second meeting is beyond me. Negating her ignorance, let’s get back to Angelo. What kind of person says there is “charity in sin” (act 2 sc. 4 ll. 67) so long as it saves Claudio, but doesn’t find the charity in forgiveness of “unlawful” consented sex?

Angelo somehow sees himself as a good human being, defending his nature by noting “Blood, thou art blood./ Let’s write “good angel” on the devil’s horn./ ‘Tis not the devil’s crest” (act 2. Sc. 4 ll.15-17). He’s only human, so temptation is inevitable and just because he does something bad, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s a good person. This is both his defense and hypocrisy of power at its finest. He fails to see this as an excuse for Claudio, but it is perfectly suitable for him.

Isabella, bless her heart, informs him “Ignomy in ransom and free pardon/ are of two houses. Lawful mercy/ is nothing kin to foul redemption” (ll. 119-121) to which Angelo gets all grumpy and threatens to painfully draw out her brother’s death (great human being, right?). Angelo finally outwardly and openly abuses his power (which may we recall, is only temporary as the Duke is gone) by telling Isabella that “[his] false o’erweighs [her] true” (ll. 184).

For someone who’s never been a huge Shakespeare fan, this is actually really enjoyable and has some pretty sweet lines that I like to put in my blogs in case I write my essays on them.

Escalus to Angelo, referring to Claudio’s execution: Act 2 scene 1 ll. 42 “Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall.”

Lucio to Isabella who thinks she cannot save her brother: Act 1 scene 4 ll. 85-87 “Our doubts are traitors/ And makes us lose the good we oft might win/ By fearing to attempt”

Pompey Act 2 scene 1 ll. 264 “The valiant heart’s not whipped out of his trade”

Act 2 scene 2 ll. 127-128
Isabella: “Yet show some pity”
Angelo: “I show it most of all when I show justice”